“Now you can see how you like it!” cried Jerry.
And growling and panting for breath, Si Peters ran away after the others.
The Rockpoint rowdies were thoroughly demoralized.
It took Jerry and his father some little time to get back their breath sufficiently to leave the woods and make their way to the road.
“You came in the nick of time, father,” said the lad. “In another five minutes I would have been tarred and feathered.”
“Tell me about the whole affair, son,” said the old farmer; and Jerry did so.
“The good-for-nothing rascals!” cried the old farmer. “If they touch you again I’ll have ’em all up before the squire.”
“That won’t help us, father,” replied Jerry. “They are rich, you know. They would get off somehow.”
Mr. Upton told how Towser had led the way into the woods. Jerry had always loved the farm dog, but now he thought more of him than ever.
“Good boy,” he said. “You shall go with us when we take our outing—that is, if father will let you go.”
“Yes, Jerry, take him along. He may help you out of some more trouble,” replied Mr. Upton.
It was rather late when they arrived home. Mrs. Upton was shocked to learn of what had occurred, but glad to learn that Jerry had escaped his enemies.
The next day the young oarsman told Harry Parker and the other boys of his adventure. Harry was very indignant.
“Those Rockpoint boys ought to be driven out of the state.”
“I dun racken I’ll carry my hoss pistol after dis,” said Blumpo. “Da don’t cotch dis chile for to tar and feather him!”
A week later Jerry, Harry, and Blumpo started up the lake on a ten days’ outing.
They were in Harry’s largest row-boat, the one that had a sail, and carried with them a tent and a good stock of ammunition. Jerry and Harry were armed with guns, and Blumpo carried his “hoss pistol” and a rusty spear.
They were bound for Hermit Island, a wild but beautiful patch of land situated almost at the end of Otasco Lake. The island was so called because it was said by some that the place was inhabited by an old hermit who lived in a cave and never showed himself to visitors.
Some did not believe this story, for try as hard as they could, they had never been able to locate the strange creature, who was said to have a white beard to his waist, and white hair equally long.